Chapters 7-10 Summary

In chapter 7, Temple spends time with Ruby in the kitchen. Ruby continuously berates and ridicules Temple, wanting to know why she did not get away while she could. Ruby warns Temple to leave the plantation before nightfall. Temple tries to prove to Ruby that she is not one who treks about with drunks. In fact, Temple's father is a judge. Temple's three brothers have prestigious positions as well and her youngest brother is in school at Yale. Ruby is offended by Temple's diatribe, taking it to mean that Temple is better than she. Ruby calls Temple a putty faced whore, among other things. Ruby also ridicules Temple for thinking that Goodwin would attack her. Ruby assures Temple that Goodwin would not sink as low as to bed a slut.

Ruby also dresses down Temple for being one of those people who shun the commoners and...